Dompoase (C/R), Nov. 8, GNA - The District Chief Executive for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem, (KEEA) Mr Frank Asmah, has cut the sod for work on a gari-processing factory at Dompase near Komenda being implemented by Sustainable Poverty Eradication and Development Association (SPEDA), a community-based organisation (CBO) to provide alternate livelihood for people in nine communities of the District. The other SPEDA projects in the area are grass-cutter breeding and supply centre, training of women in the construction and use of the improved wood stove, the cultivation of a cassava farm and woodlot plantations, capacity building of farmers on modern techniques and the provision of micro credit input support for farmers. The projects being funded by the French Embassy in Ghana through the Fund for Social Development (FSD) would benefit Dompoase, Kokwaado, Abreshia, Kwahenkrom and Kyiase. The other communities are Kissi, Abakano, Mpanyinase and Enyinase.

Mr Asmah urged the communities to take the projects seriously to expand their economic base since poverty rife in the district was as a result of the people depending on only one activity to earn a living. Mr Asmah commended the French embassy for supporting the CBO and urged the leaders to ensure that the fund was judiciously utilised for the purpose it was provided.

Mr Fred A. Mensah, Project Director said about 180 farmers would benefit from the projects under which each of the communities would cultivate a five-acre cassava farm and a woodlot. Under the capacity building component, a 10-day workshop was organised by the CBO for 180 farmers at Dompoase and Abreshia. Topics treated included Moringa production, processing and utilisation, leadership skills, business planning and management, team building and resource mobilisation and organic manure preparation and other practices.

Mr Benedict Amoateng Kyei, Project Officer of the Methodist Church of Ghana and an executive member of the Moringa Producers Association, who handled Moringa production, processing and utilisation described it as a wonderful plant with nutritional values that could strengthen the immune system to enable the body to withstand many diseases. He encouraged farmers to go into its production and urged the Ghana Health Service to promote its use to prevent diseases.